Local News

SANTA FE — Micaela Baca arrived at the state Capitol early Wednesday with her 10-month-old son, Azariah, and a group of other young people hoping to witness a vote in the House of Representatives that would be the final hurdle for a measure they had been pushing throughout the legislative session.

SANTA FE — There have been years in which there was much more money for brick-and-mortar projects in the state.

But thanks to a rebound in gas and oil revenues, New Mexico has far more severance tax funds this year than last. And that means a lot more money for roads, senior centers, sewage plants and government buildings around the state, including a new state vital records bureau building in Santa Fe, as well as an expansion of the municipal airport’s parking facility.

During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the West Las Vegas School Board of Education approved the district’s offer of $69,000 to purchase a property at 1928 New Mexico Ave., formerly known as Pretty Paws Pet Grooming.

Board Chairman Marvin Martinez said the property is across from Don Cecilio Martinez Elementary School, and if the sale is approved by the state, the existing parking at the building will be used by the school district.

SANTA FE — The proposal to expand early childhood education across New Mexico died quietly Tuesday at the state Capitol, scotched because a vote on the initiative will not be taken in the state Senate Finance Committee.

Sen. John Arthur Smith, the Democrat from Deming who chairs the committee, said in an interview that he had decided not to give a hearing to the proposed constitutional amendment before the legislative session ends at noon Thursday.